Rep. Jeanné Kapela

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Authorizes enterprise zone designation for census tracts that contain the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Allow businesses not established in an enterprise zone to qualify for enterprise zone benefits; provided that they have entered into a binding collaboration or contract with a business that is established in the census tract that contains the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine or the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 7/1/2030. (HD1)

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 2457 establishes a Community Resilience Hubs Pilot Program at the University of Hawaii to support local emergency preparedness efforts. The program creates designated community centers (hubs) that would provide resources and coordination during emergencies, directly affecting communities across Hawaii. The bill requires the University of Hawaii to submit a report on the program's implementation and appropriates state funds to cover its operation. This legislation focuses on building local capacity for disaster response through a structured pilot initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 2362 requires counties to automatically approve building permits for hurricane retrofitting projects when specific safety and structural conditions are met. This directly affects homeowners seeking to strengthen their properties against storms and county permitting offices responsible for processing applications. The key provision eliminates discretionary review for eligible retrofitting work, streamlining approvals to accelerate safety upgrades. The bill aims to reduce delays in making homes more resilient to hurricane damage without altering building codes or adding new requirements.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a three-year Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1579 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures, effective July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. Key provisions mandate specific standards for fixture design, brightness, and direction to reduce unnecessary light emissions. These changes aim to address light pollution by requiring compliant fixtures for all new installations and replacements after the effective date.

Prohibits the public disclosure of legislators' personal contact information in a voter's affidavit of registration, nomination papers, and electronic database for campaign committees. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)